(This information is taken from the brochure "Have you applied for the National Pension System?" by the Social Insurance Agency. This brochure is available in English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish.)

If you are a non-Japanese and officially residing in Japan, i.e., the holder of an Alien Registration Card, you are supposed to be covered under a public pension system administered by the Japanese government.

This leaflet explains the application procedure for the National Pension System which covers all the residents in Japan who are between the ages of 20 and 59 irrespective of nationality.

Non-Japanese eligible for the National Pension System Coverage

If you are a non-Japanese between the ages of 20 and 59, and the holder of an Alien Registration Card, you are supposed to be covered by the National Pension System. You may apply for this coverage at the office where you reside (hereinafter referred to as the municipal office).

If you are employed in a company or factory in Japan, you must be covered under the Employees' Pension Insurance System, in which case you do not need to apply for the National Pension System. Please consult the person in your company in charge of applications for the Employees' Pension Insurance System; each company is responsible for applying on behalf of its employees.

If you do not join the Employees' Pension System you may join the National Pension System.

If you qualify for the coverage, you will be entitled to the following benefits provided by the National Pension System.

When you become disabled: Disability Basic Pension

When you die: Survivor's Basic Pension

When you become old: Old-age Basic Pension

In case of ineligibility for pension benefits because of recent admission to the pension plan:
Withdrawal of lump sum
It has become possible for foreign short-term residents of Japan to receive a lump sum payment of National Pension or Employees' Pension Insurance System benefits on leaving either of these systems. For the withdrawal of a lump sum payment, the resident must have been enrolled in one of these systems for a period of at least 6 months. Also, the beneficiary must have received no pension benefits from the Old-age Basic Pension System. A person may receive such payment if he or she applies for it within two years of leaving Japan.

Application Procedure:
You may apply for the National Pension System at the municipal office. When you apply for an Alien Registration Card, please apply to join the National Pension System at the same time without fail.

Nenkin-Techo; Pension Handbook

Nenkin-Techo, or a Pension Handbook, is issued when your application is filed.

You must present your Nenkin-Techo when submitting any pension related form or inquiring in person about a pension-related matter. Don't forget to bring it with you.

Your Nenkin-Techo contains your Basic Pension Number, issued exclusively to you. Your Basic Pension Number is used as the means of managing your pension enrollment records. Because your Basic Pension Number is used in processing pension-related matters, it is best kept confidential. For instance, don't show your Nenkin-Techo to others unnecessarily. Handle your Nenkin-Techo with adequate care and keep it in a safe place.

Insurance Premiums

After you have joined the National Pension System, you must pay the monthly insurance premium.

Should a question arise, consult with your local municipal office or social insurance office.

If you have any questions about the National Pension System, please don't hesitate to consult with your local municipal office or social insurance office.

Payment of Premiums

Premiums must be paid by the due date indicated on the premium bill sent from the municipal office.

You may pay your premiums at the municipal office or at banks or post offices designated by the municipal office. You may also apply for automatic transfer of premiums from your bank account at the municipal office's National Pension counter of the financial institution where you bank.

Any problems in paying premiums?

If you have difficulty paying the premiums, please consult the municipal office rather that just not paying. If it is determined that special difficulty exists in your case, you might be exempted from the obligation to pay premiums.

Change of address or coverage status

When you move to another city, ward, town or village after you have joined the pension system, you must pay the premiums at the municipal office where you register your new address. Also, please advise the municipal office when you become an employee of a company, i.e., you become covered under the Employees' Pension Insurance System, because you then no longer need to pay the National Pension premiums. You must present your Nenkin-Techo when reporting such changes.

Monday, January 16, 2006
Name: Subramaniam Kalaiarasan
Email: skalai[at]hotmail.com
Comments: I applied for my PF Amount on Oct 2005,but so for i din't get any feedback.

Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Name: John Wilson
Email: padeki[at]hotmail.com
Comments: The pension system is a money grab from foreigners. I have paid into the system for 10 years, but will only receive 3 years when I leave Japan. I have thus lost 6 years in payments. Then we learn that top LDP politicians have not been making their payments. What a disgrace!